I think you should have a youth version, but don’t just do a simple find/replace on f*** with shuck. We all know that we use f*** in a variety of ways to mean a variety of different things. Universally replacing the word with shuck and shucking just doesn’t work. I think it would be better to take a lead from the FireFly TV series (Serenity movie). The curse words in that series are made up words that contain sounds and pieces from a number of languages. That makes more sense in a universe hundreds of years from now as human cultures will have continued to merge and affect each other. I read the novel on my phone, and every time I stumbled upon an instance of shuck, it bothered me because it was just stuck out like a audio bleep on TV.

I feel assured that the plot and content isn’t going to change at all. My understanding is that all he’s doing is altering the language a la BSG. So I expect the violence will stay the same, but we will see.

Thank you, George Hrab, for composing and performing the acoustic version ofbrainsbodyboth. Humorous yet poignant, andyou gave me a theme song. I miss Ally <sigh>

I’m stoked about the idea of a YA version for kids. My son hears me talk about Scott Sigler and explaing to people about my Krakens jersey and wants to read this book but it is just a bit much for a 10 yr old. Both my kids and all my friends know that Scott Sigler is my favorite author and my son just wants to be a part of that fun too. If this gets made I can see me buying the boy a jersey too! I need a copy of this and Ncternal for the shrine.

If kids are anything like I was, those who are likely to enjoy this type of story probably don’t read much youth-oriented fiction anyway. I’m also opposed to the child-friendly bubble-wrapping of society on general principle.

I’ve decided to publish THE ROOKIE in hardcover, with eight color plates inside showing aliens and team logos, but go with the "cleaner" version. All the feedback I’m getting is telling me people would love that. While the die-hard audience would like the original version, it seems you all would also accept a cleaner version. Basically, I’m just changing swear words, not any part of the plot. So, I can satisfy most of my existing fan base, yet sell a great story to kids that like scifi, sports, or escapism in general. If it gets kids to read, it’s worth it.

There’s something wrong about having a pro-sport story written by the FDO with no swearing and cleared up, but that’s the YA publishing world for you…

But, it’s really cool that Scott’s been contacted for this. Promoting literacy is really cool- and it is a chance to get Baby Junkies while they’re young…. And perhaps get some parents into the FDO’s Revolution too.

Hell yer go for it, if thats why you want a clean version of the novel get it out there. Like others say school love the idea of people getting over there race and and bring equality. It would be good at getting your name out there, But dont forget you still need to original

Isn’t the Rookie all about racial, uh, I mean special equality? Schools eat that crap up! Make it kid friendly, push the different races getting along angle, and you’ll have schools making it required reading! Sell them books!!!

Yeah… that’s what our educational system needs! Textbooks written by the FDO! They’re getting indoctrinated already, why not indoctrinate them into Siglerism!

The rookie could be considered, at its core, a great underdog story about a man from a backwater mining colony who overcame his racism and helped lead his team against all odds to a championship. Don’t forget the messages about teamwork

-The OSU vs. Michigan game. 800 years of tradition and the rivalry is still strong as ever

This seems to be a hot topic and it didn’t have it’s own thread yet, so I’m starting one. Scott initially posited the idea on the Thanksgiving Goreline episode and there are several voice mails regarding the issue at the end of Nocturnal 38. There are also quite a few replies to the Goreline post in that thread. It seemed much more appropriate for it to have it’s own thread however. Also, for a project of this magnitude, Scott can certainly use *all* the feedback he can get. So sound off junkies!!

To recap the basic rationale:

Scott’s been contacted by numerous teachers asking him if he’d be willing to re-write The Rookie and remove the foul language, yet leave the plot intact.

Educators want to use it for kids who are reading challenged because the content is so much more interesting than the other stuff they have to work with

So what Scott wants your feedback on is should he: A) Leave The Rookie as is B) create a separate youth version or C) change the whole book so there’s only one version that is safe for all ages.